Let's start off with Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan. At 850 feet tall and 70 stories, it's the shortest of the three. This is the viewing platform on the 67th floor — outside with big glass panels to look through.

This is the Empire State Building's viewing platform. The building is 1,454 feet tall and 102 stories. This platform, on the 86th floor, is surrounded by cross-hatched fencing. That means you have peer through to get a clear view.

There's a second viewing platform on the 102nd floor, but it's indoors and cramped with small windows. The view isn't much better than that of the 86th.

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Finally, One World Trade Center. At 1,776 feet tall and 104 stories, it's the tallest of the three buildings. The observatory, which takes up the 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors, is big and open with huge windows from which to take in the view.

The best view from Rockefeller is this shot of the Empire State Building. It's awe-inspiring to be so close to the iconic building, but this is as good as it gets. Everything outside the frame is not nearly as interesting.

There are a few problems with the view from Rockefeller Center. Because you are in midtown and only on the 70th floor, your view of many skyscrapers, like the Chrysler Building, is obstructed.

And the second-best view from Rockefeller — of Central Park — is ugly thanks to the construction of the Central Park Tower on 57th Street. It won't be any better when it's finished. The tower will be 1,550 feet tall.